Skye path repairs complete

21 March 2017

The Trust has just completed the second phase of the footpath repair project on the Sligachan to Loch Coruisk path at Druim Hain

In welcome contrast to the wet and windy weather during phase one in the winter of 2015-16, specialist contractor Arran Footpath Partnership has benefited from unusually mild and dry conditions this winter to complete 415m of footpath construction.

The work included involved 970m square of landscaping, which involved transplanting turf to stop braiding and help encourage revegetation of a highly visible erosion scar which extended 6m wide in places.

Since 2014, the Trust has spent £210,000 on path repair work on Skye, including at Bla Bheinn, Beinn Dearg and two phases of work at Druim Hain. The costs involved £169,000 employing contactors who live locally, and a further £41,000 on airlifting materials.

Contractor Donald MacKenzie from Glenelg, who has led the project, said: “The path line is now less intrusive, and the newly constructed footpath will help keep walkers on the same line, allowing the vegetation to recover over the next few years.”

We gratefully acknowledge financial support for this work from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Brown Forbes Memorial Fund, the Kestrelman Trust, the Scottish Mountaineering Trust, the Hugh Fraser Foundation and the Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust.